Thanks guys but i've just been informed they are sold. Regards
ED: You said in your reply above ...." have evaluated the newer SLC. I would be willing to pay as much as 25-30% more for a used SLC-HD than a used SLC in equal condition". It would be great if you could mention what it is about the prior SLC HD that you prefer over the current SLC WB that would motivate you to pay a premium. My preference is the closer focus and more traditional Swarovski styling of the prior SLC HD. Are there some other features I missed?
Bob: I am curious as to why you brought up the serial number. Was there some sort of production change within the model production run of the SLC HD?
AJB123: Sorry to here you missed out. Hopefully another one will show up soon. With that in mind here is my take on the used pricing for the 8X42 Swaro SLC HD. I believe that is the model you are looking to buy. My pricing comments are based on the US market and may vary from the market price in your county.
There is an 8X42 SLC HD listed on eBay right now for $1,750. It appears to be like new with the box and everything included. In my opinion, it is overpriced and will be difficult to sell without a price drop. That is the same price as a new current model. I suspect the seller thinks his prior unit is the better choice compared to the current model and justifies the same price. However the reality is that it is a discontinued model and it is used and many potential buyers will think it should be priced lower than a new current unit. The seller may also be thinking that model sold new between $2,000 and about $2,130 so his price does show depreciation from what was new. I can see the logic in the price and I am with Ed in finding the prior model more desirable, but I think the market has been ruling otherwise when it comes to the selling price of a used SLC-HD.
If someone wanted to buy one right now for a trip then paying that price would not be unreasonable because it is in my opinion a superior model to the current version at the same price and it is at a nice discount from the original price. However it is above what I see as the current market value.
I have been mentally tracking the 8X42 SLC HD for a couple of years and I would say the going price for a near new unit with the box, papers and all accessories has been in the area of $1,400 - $1450. I have seen some as low as $1,200 and some around $1,500. Established retailers are usually selling used between $1,400 and $1,500. (Some of the retailer listings do not say if the box and all accessories are included.) My goal was to get one under $1,400 and recently found one near new with the works near $1,200. The key to getting a lower price is to be willing to wait it out. In my case it was over a year.
The price may be trending downward a little bit recently. Just speculating, but this may be due to some of the closeout pricing on the pre Profield SV EL models. That is considered the premier line for Swaro so buyers seeing such low prices on the EL line expect some drop in the other lines. Most of the closeout deals are gone so I expect used EL prices to start going back up and that may influence a small increase in the other models.
History: Many of the members here on the Forum refer to the current model as the Swarovski SLC WB and the prior model as the Swarovski SLC HD. Actually, I think Swarovski called the prior model SLC WB HD, but then dropped the HD part of the name in the current model. Although they do not use the HD in the name, the new model still has the same HD glass as the prior model.
The current SLC WB is easy to recognize by the armoring. It basically covers the whole binocular and is more of a drab green color compared to the traditional Swaro green. The prior SLC HD version has black metal showing on the hinge and the inner part of the barrels and the color of the armor is the traditional Swaro green. Some, including me, think the prior model is nicer looking and the new version has a more plastic cheaper look.
There is some disagreement if there are optical differences. A couple of reps have indicated to me that there are some very minor changes to accommodate the mechanical changes, but the final optical result is the same. There was a post a while back where some members thought there was a slight optical improvement in the current model, but not everyone agreed. I concluded if there was a difference, it was insignificant and I would much rather have the closer focus and traditional armor.
The current model was announced during the summer of 2013 and some started shipping the fall of 2013. That indicates to me that there is some overlap in serial number year between the two versions for 2013.
I could be off on this but I believe the SLC-HD came out the second half of 2010 and it replaced the SLC Neu. The big changes were the body styling and a noticeable upgrade to HD glass and better coatings.
Just out of curiosity, what was the price of the unit you were considering?
